182      Disinfectants,  Antiseptics  and  Deodorizers.  {  A%J£XwTM* 
investigated  this  subject,  says  that  it  is  a  very  convenient  method  of 
obtaining  ozone,  as,  under  the  influence  of  solar  light,  the  essential 
oils  will  ozonize  comparatively  large  proportions  of  atmospheric  oxy- 
gen. This  statement  seems  to  furnish  a  true  basis  for  the  reputation 
which  odorous  herbs  and  other  perfumes  have  borne  as  purifiers  of 
the  atmosphere  since  ancient  times.  The  fumigation  with  aromatic 
gums,  which  are  so  liberally  indulged  in  by  the  Latin  church,  may 
therefore  have  a  sanitary  value  in  addition  to  the  gratification  of  the 
olfactory  sense  by  the  diffusion  of  their  rich-smelling  odor  through- 
out the  edifice.  Dr.  Dougall  found  benzoic  acid,  which  is  so  large  a 
constituent  of  these  gums,  to  be  a  more  powerful  antiseptic  than  any 
other  organic  acid. 
The  confusion  of  terms  relating  to  this  subject  is  not  by  any  means 
confined  to  this  country.  Thus  we  find  in  the  German  periodicals  an 
article  on  chlorinated  lime  as  a  disinfectant,  by  A.  Eckstein,  an  apoth- 
ecary of  Vienna.  The  only  test  which  he  applied  for  the  purpose  of 
ascertaining  the  disinfecting  properties  of  chlorinated  lime  and  other 
chemicals,  was  the  impression  produced  upon  his  own  olfactory  organs* 
The  paper  has  consequently  a  practical,  if  not  a  scientific  value,  as 
we  are  all  personally  interested  in  the  abatement  of  nuisances  and 
the  removal  of  nauseous  effluvia  to  which  we  are  compelled  to  expose 
ourselves  daily. 
Eckstein  states  that  the  results  of  his  experiments  have  convinced 
him  that  chlorinated  lime  is  the  most  useful  agent  for  deodorizing 
cesspools,  privy  wells  and  excrementitious  matter  in  general.  The 
rapidity  and  energy  of  its  decomposition  has  so  far  proved  to  be  an 
obstacle  to  its  regular  employment,  as  the  eliminated  chlorine  vapors 
seriously  incommode  the  respiratory  organs  of  those  who  frequent  the 
localities  where  it  has  been  applied.  In  order  to  overcome  this  ob- 
jection, Eckstein  conceived  the  idea  of  employing  a  cover  of  a  mate- 
rial which  is  but  slowly  acted  on  by  lime,  but  which,  by  its  osmotic 
qualities,  mitigates  the  inhalation  of  chlorine  vapors  to  such  an  ex- 
tent that  they  do  not  annoy  the  respiration  of  even  the  most  sensitive. 
He  found  a  bag  made  of  parchment  paper  to  fulfil  these  indications 
in  the  most  convenient  manner.  When  such  a  bag  is  thrown  into  a 
well  it  remains  in  ihe  spot  where  it  has  been  deposited,  as  it  is  too 
heavy  to  be  washed  away  by  the  drainings.  As  it  is  constantly  sur- 
rounded by  liquids,  it  has  a  local  action,  which  seems  to  consume  the 
chlorine  in  about  the  same  ratio  in  which  it  escapes. 
